On Saturday, October 17th, the International Music Software Trade Association and Ryerson University will partner to host IMSTA FESTA, a celebration of music technology. IMSTA FESTA brings a collection of top music technology companies together in an environment where they can interact with music makers face-to-face.

IMSTA FESTA is known for bringing heavyweight music industry professionals under one roof for this limited engagement. Our panels bring together an array of industry experts to discuss the state of the music business, technology and much more.

IMSTA FESTA is a FREE event open to anyone interested in the art of music making; professional and semi-professional musicians, songwriters, music producers, and audio engineers, as well as music students and educators.

Ableton is a Berlin-based music software company founded in 1999 that produces and distributes software for creating, producing, and performing music. The company principals started Ableton in order to realize their personal quest for a computer-based music-making solution. Some Ableton products include Ableton Live, The Bridge, Electric, Tension, Collision, and Session Drums.

Its revolutionary product, Live, has introduced a new approach to making music with computers both on the stage and in the studio. Live has received outstanding feedback from the international press and artists. There are now several hundred thousand Live users worldwide, and the number is growing fast.

ADAM Audio

ADAM Audio was founded in March 1999 in Berlin by the physicist Klaus Heinz along with electrical engineer Roland Stenz. Since then the company has been developing, manufacturing and distributing loudspeakers in the field of Professional Audio.

Arturia

Founded in Grenoble (France) in 1999, ARTURIA specializes in the development of music software and hardware for both the professional and amateur musician. Focusing on innovation, the company strives to integrate the latest advances in computer music research and technology into their products. This involves working closely with partner research institutions, such as IRCAM France, in the development of leading edge musical instruments and software, the results of which have gone on to been used in the making of numerous hit records and Hollywood sound tracks.

Audio Technica

Winner of numerous industry awards, Audio-Technica manufactures products that set quality, durability and price/performance standards for live sound tours, broadcast and recording studios, corporate and government facilities, house-of-worship venues, and more. A-T microphones are chosen for critical government installations such as the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. Audio-Technica microphones and wireless systems are also selected for major broadcast music events, including the GRAMMY® Awards and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.

AVID

Avid will be showcasing Pro Tools® 11 software at IMSTA FESTA. Compose, record, edit, and mix high-quality music or sound for picture—on a Mac or PC—using Pro Tools. Design the perfect setup for your needs with a wide array of Pro Tools solutions—from hardware interfaces and consoles to software, plug-ins, and more. Through Avid Everywhere, Avid delivers one of the industry's most open, innovative and comprehensive media platform connecting content creation with collaboration, asset protection, distribution and consumption for the most listened to, most watched and most loved media in the world—from the most prestigious and award-winning feature films, music recordings, and television shows, to live concerts and news broadcasts. Industry leading solutions include Pro Tools®, Media Composer®, ISIS®, Interplay®, and Sibelius®. For more information about Avid solutions and services, visit www.avid.com, connect with Avid on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Google+; or subscribe to Avid Blogs.

Behringer

Behringer is an audio equipment company founded by Uli Behringer in 1989, in Willich, Germany. Behringer was listed as the 14th largest manufacturer of music products in 2007. Behringer is a multi-national group of companies, with direct marketing presence in 10 countries or territories and a sales network in over 130 countries around the world. Though originally a German manufacturer, the company now makes its products in China.

Black Lion Audio

Chicago has a rich cultural heritage based on a strong work ethic and a no-nonsense approach towards life. We at Black Lion Audio feel that this is reflected in our dedication and approach to sound quality. We work extremely hard on every aspect of our designs, modifications, and customer service, and make every effort to be efficient and timely in doing so.

We started Black Lion Audio to help people involved in audio reproduction and reinforcement upgrade the sound quality of their equipment without spending a lot of money. Our focus began primarily with modifications, then broadened to include our own boutique equipment designed and built right here in Chicago. It is our vision to create an excellent product (both in design and performance) and deliver it to you at an exceptional price.

Blue Cat Audio

Blue Cat Audio develops audio software for musicians and audio professionals. We create real time audio processing plugins for the PC and Mac platforms, in VST, Audio Unit, RTAS, AAX and DirectX formats: you can find on this websiteprofessional audio effects and innovative audio analysis tools to transform your Digital Audio Workstation into a professional audio processing environment.

Celemony

Celemony Software GmbH is a German music software company that specializes in digital audio pitch correction software. It produces Melodyne, a unique audio editor with advanced pitch and time editing tools that has become the industry standard.

Melodyne has been adopted by a large number of music, game, and film professionals worldwide to create, edit and manipulate vocals and instruments in audio files signals, or generate MIDI data from audio files. Melodyne DNA, or Direct Note Access, allows for independent manipulation of individual notes within chords and polyphonic recordings.

D16 Group

D16 Group Audio Software officially launched in 2006 with the aim of producing virtual instruments and effects for producers and musicians who required top quality and inspiration in their music. Today, D16 Group Audio Software have become a premium audio plug-ins vendor. Continuously high level of quality and will of improvement allow us to deliver virtual instruments that sets the new standard of sound perfection and effects that brings creativity for the next level. Solid trust from audio community and respect for products fruitful in many rewards make the D16 Group Audio Software company of choice for many musicians around the globe.

Digital Audio Labs

Digital Audio Labs (DAL) introduced their first audio interface in the late 80’s when digital audio was in its infancy. The CardD, CardDeluxe, and V8 systems are well known for their incredible sound and build quality. Many of these systems are still in use, more than 20 years later, having become industry standards in the broadcast and data acquisition industries.

DAL has parleyed their audio and design expertise into other markets, developing OEM amplifier, digital signal processing, and integration solutions for a number of partners.

With the PowerShape™ and Livemix™ product lines, DAL re-establishes its presence in the consumer and install markets. These innovative products combine DAL’s devotion to stellar audio and service with a commitment to offer attractively priced products that don’t skimp on quality or features.

FabFilter

At FabFilter, we make the best possible tools for music production and audio processing. To achieve this, we continually rethink and challenge industry standards: we've never been afraid of reinventing the wheel. Considering every little detail, we tune our algorithms and interfaces until they sound perfect, look amazing and feel great to work with.

Focusrite

Focusrite continues to innovate and build on its world-class reputation in both analogue and digital environments, combining the company's enviable heritage with the latest technology to create music recording tools of the highest quality, from the ISA Series to the very latest DSP-powered computer audio interfaces, award-winning preamps and digital conversion systems that are second to none.

SynthMaster is an award-winning software synthesizer by KV331 Audio, available in VST AU RTAS and AAX formats. It ranked number 2 in MusicRadar's Best VST/AU Synth in the World poll in 2014.

Magix

Since 1993 the name MAGIX has stood for user-friendly multimedia software. Their product range includes seamlessly integrated online mobile and cloud services as well as digital content.

They place value on outstanding price-performance ratios in order to offer perfect solutions for the creation, design, presentation and archiving of digital photos, graphics, websites, video and music. That goes for both beginners and professional users.

Manley Labs

The MANLEY brand has been around since the late 1980's. Manley's first commercially available products were upper echelon high-fidelity vacuum tube amplifiers and preamplifiers constructed at the old Vacuum Tube Logic of America factory.

Mojave Audio

What makes Mojave different? A Mojave microphone's journey begins and ends in Burbank, CA. US made Jensen transformers and NOS (new old stock) tubes are shipped offshore and mated to capsules and bodies, according to David Royer's design specifications, at a highly respected factory that David has worked with for over 15 years. All Mojave microphones are constructed with respect to David's unprecedented research and attention to electronic design and quality. After assembly, they are shipped back to Burbank for extensive QC inspections. Prior to packaging, every mic is burned in for 24 hours, tested and personally listened to by David.

Very few companies (and none in Mojave's price range) invest so much in the audio components. The high quality Jensen transformers alone, cost more than many import mics. The NOS tubes are military spec. The FET's are top quality and the resisters are custom made. At Mojave it's a given that no sacrifices are made in the critical signal path electronics.
This hybrid of domestic and overseas manufacturing allows us to make superb microphones that are affordable without compromise.

David Royer is one of an elite group of microphone designers who know that music and sound are inseparable from electronic design. Everything David designs comes from his deep, lifelong love of music. David is best known for his ribbon microphone designs with Royer Labs, which have won three TEC awards and a prestigious Technical Grammy Award.

McDSP

McDSP is an innovative Silicon Valley audio software company founded in 1998 by Colin McDowell. Beginning with the release of pioneering equalizer plug-in FilterBank for the Pro Tools digital audio workstation, McDSP has continued producing industry acclaimed and award-winning software titles for the pro audio market.

Such products include the 6030 Ultimate Compressor, Analog Channel, DE555 De-esser, and Synthesizer One. McDSP also licenses audio algorithm IP for use in many other fields including gaming audio and iPhone application development.

MusicXPC

Anyone can build a computer, but not everyone can build a computer with the needs Musicians' in mind. The reason MusicXPC was developed was because we understand musicians, engineers and producers. The MusicXPC brand has made a name for itself in the industry for having products that are dependable yet cost effective. To sum it up, MusicXPC builds high performance systems' for professional music production. We do constant research and development to ensure that every MusicXPC built not only meets industry standard, but in most cases exceeds it. Our staff is dedicated to providing the upmost in customer service and providing quick turnaround if any issue should arise with the use of your computer also every purchase is backed by a 1yr warranty.

Native Instruments

Native Instruments is a leading manufacturer of software and hardware for computer-based music production and performance. Native Instruments products combine outstanding sound quality with far-reaching sonic possibilities, aesthetic interface design with high usability, and comprehensive functionality with an uncompromising attention to detail.

Today, Native Instruments offers an extensive hardware and software product line that covers the whole field of digital music creation, including REAKTOR, MASSIVE, KONTAKT, BATTERY, and MASCHINE. Native Instruments is also spearheading the digital DJ revolution with its TRAKTOR product range. Native Instruments sees itself as a part of a vibrant international music scene, and is in constant communication with artists whose feedback is integrated into the conception and continuous improvement of the products.

Novation

With the increasing importance of software in the synthesiser field, Novation expanded its range of keyboard controllers and other innovative control surfaces for musicians and producer/performers, fully integrated with powerful software to form the perfect range of gear to play, create and perform music.

Novation gear is designed by musicians and producers who use the gear they design every day. That's why bedroom producers and A-list artists alike use our kit: it's been designed by and for musicians. And we're always looking for fresh ideas – so if you have something in mind, get in touch.

From studio to stage, Novation frees you to make your music, your way – like never before.

NUGEN Audio

NUGEN Audio creates innovative, intuitive professional audio tools for high-end music producers, post-production engineers and broadcasters. Reflecting the real-world production experience of the design team, the company's products make it easier to deliver better quality, save time and reduce costs. NUGEN Audio's tools for audio analysis, loudness metering, mixing/mastering and tracking are used by the world's top names in broadcast, music and audio production.

Premium Beat

PremiumBeat.com is a curated royalty free music website that provides exclusive, high-quality tracks and sound effects for use in new and traditional media projects, including videos, films, apps, games, and television programming.

PreSonus

Throughout the years, PreSonus has developed innovative professional and affordable tools to the music creation industry with the purpose of enhancing the music creation and production process. The signature product developed by Presonus is Studio One, which is an integrated approach to recording music, from tracking to mixing to mastering and distribution. It’s a creative environment built for intuitive use, speed, and efficiency–and yet it’s robust enough for the most complex productions.

The following are other award-winning product innovations by Presonus: DigiMax (2000) – The first 8-channel microphone preamplifier with ADAT output.; FireStation (2002) – One of the first FireWire multi-channel computer recording systems; Central Station (2004) – First monitor controller with talkback; FirePod (2004) – First FireWire recording system with 8 microphone preamplifiers; INSPIRE 1394 (2005) – First daisy-chainable, compact FireWire recording system; FireStudio (2006) – First FireWire recording system with integrated remote control for surround and stereo capable speaker switching and communications.

Production Voices

At Production Voices, we go to great lengths to create authentic, efficient virtual instruments at exceptional prices to provide users with the ultimate control over the piano samples they use with Native Instruments’ Kontakt 4 and 5.

At the heart of our sample libraries are multi-microphone samples that give composers, performers and producers ultimate control over their piano samples, as if they had recorded them in a studio themselves. We purposely do not over-process our sample libraries. What you will hear is the sound of the instrument as it was picked up by the microphone.

Our piano sample libraries either have multi-outputs that show up in your digital audio workstation or microphone control, from within the virtual instrument itself. One of our piano libraries – the Studio Grand Piano LE, for example, has four stereo microphone pairs to choose from. Without even adjusting the volume of each of these microphone pairs, the user has 24 different variations that are controllable in real time for the sound of the virtual piano by simply activating combinations of microphone pairs either on or off.

Propellerhead

Formed in 1994, Propellerhead Software is a privately owned company based in Stockholm, Sweden. Renowned for its musician-centric approach, Propellerhead has created some of the world's most innovative music software applications, interfaces and technology standards.

Musicians, producers and the media have praised Reason, ReCycle and ReBirth applications for being inspiring, great sounding and of superior quality. Technologies such as ReWire and the REX file format are de-facto industry standards, implemented in all major music software.

Today, Propellerhead's products are used all over the world by hundreds of thousands of professionals and enthusiasts for all kinds of music making.

Royer

Royer Labs was formed in 1998 to bring David Royer's unique, modern ribbon microphone designs to the world. When we first opened our doors, ribbon mics had been largely forgotten, but the R-121 and SF-12 quickly captured the imagination of recording enthusiasts around the world. This new generation of ribbon microphones proved to be a perfect match to the rise in popularity of digital recording, as engineers rediscovered the warmth, analog feel and smooth sound of ribbons. Today, Royers are found in studios and on live stages around the world.

Serato

Serato creates world leading audio software for professional DJs and musicians. Serato is based in New Zealand and has partnerships with many highly regarded hardware, software, and record industry companies worldwide.

Shutterstock

Shutterstock, a global technology company, has created the largest and most vibrant two-sided marketplace for creative professionals to license content - including images, videos and music - as well as innovative tools that power the creative process.

The company has expanded its portfolio to include Bigstock, a value-oriented stock media agency PremiumBeat, a curated royalty-free music library; Rex Features, a premier source of editorial images for the world's media; Skillfeed, an online marketplace for learning; and WebDAM, a cloud-based digital asset management platform for businesses, as well as creating Offset, a high-end image collection.

SSL

For over 30 years Solid State Logic has been at the leading edge of pro audio technology development. Devotion to excellence, technological innovation and a deep understanding of the needs of users has enabled SSL to design and manufacture a wealth of ground breaking products that enable engineers and producers to work faster and sound better. The legacy continues with a current product portfolio that offers benchmark audio quality and streamlined workflow solutions for everyone from the project studio producer to large scale commercial recording facilities. www.solidstatelogic.com

Sony

Sony Creative Software inspires artistic expression with its award-winning line of products for digital video, music, DVD, and audio production.

Sound Forge, ACID, and Vegas software have defined digital content creation for a generation of creative professionals, amateurs, and enthusiasts.

Spitfire produces the finest virtual instruments from the finest musical samples in the world. It is a beacon of quality not just for it's own productions but the endorsements it offers to third party sample developers and fellow sound smiths it goes into production partnerships with. At the heart of Spitfire's evolution is the greatest recorded selection of orchestral samples on the planet thus far, alongside a recent expansion in scope to cover all areas of the music spectrum.

Steinberg

Steinberg has been providing award-winning music and media production tools to music, game, and film professionals since 1984. Today, Steinberg is one of the world's largest manufacturers of audio software and hardware, with more than 1.5 million users worldwide using Cubase, Nuendo, Wavelab, and Halion.

The Steinberg range of products is used in all aspects of modern digital audio processing. These products form the backbone of facilities specializing in music composition and production, mastering, restoration, broadcast, sound design, audio post for the film industry among many others.

Sugar Bytes

Sugar Bytes was founded to produce and provide better tools for everyone in music. As a result they develop audio software that is easier to use and cheaper to get than everything that's out there. Their products can perform more with fewer buttons and have more features with fewer instructions.
Sugar Bytes Tools save you time and money while they provide you with more creative freedom. Their products both sound good and look good. They are also more fun and less expensive.

Revoice Prois our newest product. It offers the fastest and easiest adjustment and alignment of timing and pitch for vocals, instruments and ADR as well as double track generation.

At the heart of Revoice Pro is our unique Audio Performance Transfer (APT) process, that can give one signal the timing, pitch, vibrato and level features of another signal, plus our highly-praised realistic Doubler process.

These two functions, combined with the new manual Warp process for pitch and timing, means there is now a one-stop, time-saving, high-quality solution for creative and corrective audio manipulation tasks.

VocALign, our first product, introduced in 1995, is our renowned software for fast, automatic audio alignment. Its job is to get your audio tight, and it does that simply and in seconds. There are two versions, VocALign Project – for everyday jobs, and VocALign PRO – offering more control and versatility in tasks requiring time-alignment.

Two Notes

The emergence of computer recording solutions those last few years has largely encouraged musicians to explore the sound recording process, which was till then a sound-engineer-only thing.
The Orosys company and its brand, Two Notes Audio Engineering were born from the idea that one could propose to guitarists and bassists products that were originally reserved for studio and live sound professionals.

Guillaume Pille, OROSYS President, is both an electronics researcher and a music lover. Guitarist, composer, signal processing expert, he first works in the field of telecommunications to finally combine his passion for electronics and music.
After 4 years research, Guillaume PILLE and his team, including Ivan Cohen and Bruno Ferren, both engineers and musicians, release the Torpedo VB-101, early 2009. This first product, unique in the world, is made to record guitar/bass amps silently with studio quality.

Universal Audio

Founded in 1958 by M.T. "Bill" Putnam Sr., the Universal Audio name and company have been synonymous with innovative recording products for more than 50 years. A favorite engineer of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ray Charles and more, the late Bill Putnam Sr. was a passionate innovator who is widely regarded as the father of modern recording — with many of his legendary studio and equipment designs still in use today.

Wave Arts

Wave Arts focuses on professional grade audio processing software for embedded systems and professional audio applications. Millions of consumers and audio professionals worldwide benefit every day from the research and technology produced by Dr. Gardner and the Wave Arts team in Arlington, Massachusetts.

WaveDNA

Liquid Music. Your Next Song is a Sketch Away

Liquid Music for Live is a powerful plugin for Ableton Live 9 using Max for Live that instantly crafts original song ideas with advanced music tools. Liquid Music for Live lets you create inspiring music using a revolutionary visual workflow – the best way to get inspiration and conquer a creativity block.

Paint melodies, harmonies and chords using the revolutionary Sketch tool

Make unique beats instantly using a collection of rhythmic building blocks with the Rhythm tool

Tweak and evolve song ideas in real-time using Five Layers of Control: Sketch, Key, Chords, Voice and Rhythm

Fully integrates with Ableton Live Suite or Ableton Live with Max for Live

Choose a synth track, and Liquid Music automatically displays the harmony toolset. Select a Drum Rack track, and Liquid Music supplies a wealth of beat sequencing tools

Inspiring presets help create original ideas and rich harmonies in seconds, and you can swap their five “layers” for nearly limitless possibilities

Liquid Rhythm. Make Beats with the World’s Most Powerful Drum Machine Plugin.

Make complex, unique beats instantly using a collection of rhythmic building blocks

Tweak and customize beats in real-time with powerful editing tools

Use Liquid Rhythm standalone, with your DAW as VST, AU, RTAS, or fully integrated with Ableton Live 9 via Max for Live

WaveDNA

WaveDNA is a Toronto-based music software development company designing and building the next generation of innovative virtual instruments. Founded in 2010 by CEO Douglas Mummenhoff and Lead Inventor David Beckford, the company operates with a vision to create virtual instruments that dramatically streamline the composition process for song-writers and music producers.

Westone

Since 1959, Westone has specialized in custom earplugs and earpieces as well as other products to protect and enhance hearing, facilitate communication, and support hearing care professionals.

Our dedication to absolute quality, uncompromising service, and The Golden Rule have made us a world leader in our industry.

Yamaha Canada

Since Yamaha Music Foundation was established in 1966, it has generated a wide range of music activities throughout global society, including Yamaha music schools, and the Junior Original Concert. Strong commitment to promote and support music education and popularization is one of the most significant elements to distinguish Yamaha from its competitors.

Yamaha has endeavored to produce products and services that satisfy the diverse needs and desires of people worldwide. Its products and services are recognized the world over for superior quality in acoustics, design, technology, craftsmanship, and customer oriented services. These products and services under the brand name of Yamaha are highly regarded by a large number of professionals, institutions, business people within the related industries, and consumers.

Our corporate philosophies are embedded in our customer oriented management and operations; providing excellence in our products and services; continuous efforts to expand our existing market and create new markets; enhancement of research and development on a long range perspective; commitment to care for end users through providing even better service after sale; pursuit of further globalization of Yamaha's business; fostering positive growth through diversification.

Yamaha's very basic corporate objective is reflected in everything that it does, which is to contribute to the enrichment of the quality of lives for people around the world.

Ryerson University

Ryerson is Canada's leader in innovative, career-focused education and a university clearly on the move. It is a distinctly urban university with a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. Ryerson has a mission to serve societal need and a long-standing commitment to engaging its community.

Guided by a bold Academic Plan, an ambitious research agenda, and a Master Plan to revitalize the campus and surrounding neighbourhood, Ryerson is the most applied-to university in Ontario relative to available spaces, and its reputation with business and community leaders continues to rise.

SOCAN

SOCAN (the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) is a not-for-profit organization that represents the Canadian performing rights of millions of Canadian and international music creators and publishers. SOCAN is proud to play a leading role in supporting the long-term success of its more than 100,000 Canadian members, as well as the Canadian music industry. Through licences, SOCAN gives businesses that use music the freedom to use any music they want, legally and ethically. SOCAN licenses more than 125,000 businesses coast to coast and distributes royalties to its members and peer organizations around the world. SOCAN also distributes royalties to its members for the use of Canadian music around the world in collaboration with its peer societies. In addition, SOCAN plays a leadership role in mentoring emerging creators on various aspects of the craft and business of music. We also advocate on behalf of our members to ensure that copyright is respected and that creators are appropriately remunerated for the use of their work.

Long & McQuade

Long & McQuade is the largest chain of musical instrument retailers in Canada, with 63 locations from British Columbia to Newfoundland. This means that if you're a touring musician, you'll have the benefit of dealing with a familiar store with consistent sales, supplies and service, no matter where your homebase is.

Canadian Musician

Canadian Musician magazine is Canada's magazine for professional and amateur musicians. Published since 1979, the magazine covers prominent Canadian artists, the latest gear, technique and the business of music. Published bi-monthly, Canadian Musician features regular columns on Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Percussion, Brass, Woodwinds, Vocal, MIDI, Business, Songwriting, Live Sound, Recording and On-Line Music. Also included are classified ads, opportunities for musicians, new releases and new products.

Harris Institute

Located in Toronto, Canada, Harris Institute has been a leader in audio and music industry education since 1989. The college’s 120 students are taught by a 68 member award winning faculty, and its graduates are in leading positions throughout the music industry. Harris Institute was selected in the US as one of Mix Magazine’s “Finest Media Arts Institutions.”

Humber College School of Creative & Performing Arts

Humber's Bachelor of Music program is unlike any other four-year bachelor degree in music in North America. By combining the latest recording technologies and entrepreneurial business strategies with performance, production, songwriting, and composition in jazz, pop, R&B, Latin and world music, graduates will be well equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for success in today's music world.

After two years of core music courses, students will choose electives in arranging, composition, advanced improvisation, film scoring, recording/production techniques and songwriting along with mandatory courses in music business, creative development, and music production. These all lead to a third-year final recital and a fourth-year recording project.

Students in the Music degree program develop musicianship and artistry by presenting their own recitals, arranging and composing original material, and recording and marketing their own music. In addition, students take courses in music history, pedagogy, theory, aural training, improvisation, ensembles, private lessons, music production and music business. Every student must complete a work placement component in the music industry to establish contacts and relationships with key companies and industry personnel. All students will complete a major recording project/portfolio in their fourth year. The assembled portfolio, which includes a complete press kit and professional-quality recording, as well as other promotional materials, functions as a student's calling card for entrance into the music industry upon graduation.

Lacquer Channel Mastering

Lacquer Channel Mastering has two world-class studios designed by Group One Acoustics. Each studio contains a compliment of highest-end customized analog and digital equipment specifically designed for mastering audio. We operate Canada’s only vinyl lacquer cutting lathe. We’ve been in business for almost 40 years and nothing is more important to us than the art of mastering.

Metalworks Institute

Metalworks Institute, situated just outside of Toronto, is the educational creation and natural extension of renowned Metalworks Studios; home to some of the world's most successful artists and music producers. Our diploma programs are designed for those who wish to understand the complexities of the entertainment industry and build a successful career on a solid base of knowledge. We are providing an opportunity for students to explore their art through the understanding of its science.

Metalworks Institute students benefit from real world integration. They are surrounded by only the most advanced technologies, the most skilled instructors and state of the art facilities. If you are passionate about audio engineering, music performance, studio production, live production, digital music, or entertainment business management, our 1 and 2 year programs will enable you to launch the career of your dreams.

Norris Whitney Communications

Norris-Whitney Communications Inc. has been providing information services for the past 35 years. Norris-Whitney Communications Inc. is an international communications company specializing in the music, audio and lighting fields. NWC is involved in magazine publishing, book publishing and distribution, graphic design, corporate branding, website development and promotion, direct marketing, promotion & publicity, multimedia, and photographic services.

Regardless of the scale of your company's business, we will work with you every step of the way to ensure your corporate message is getting across. We are here to help you establish not only an online presence but also to promote your business offline - through business cards, flyers, catalogues, ads, banners, and other promotional material.

Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology

Since day one our objective at OIART has been to provide the audio industry with the steady stream of highly knowledgeable and passionate individuals it needs to evolve and thrive. We do this by providing our students with everything they’ll need to know to fulfill that need. OIART alumni – many of whom are actively shaping the contemporary soundscape – are a glowing testament to our success in doing just that.

We carefully screen each and every candidate to ensure that all share the passion, ambition and educational foundation necessary to fully leverage the OIART experience, and then surround them with a seasoned faculty and leading edge facilities they need to flourish.

Our concise and ever-evolving curriculum will deliver everything you need to know to start your career in just 11 short months. You’ll have tons of time to work on projects in any one of our 8 state-of-the-art environments, enjoy an unprecedented 5:1 student teacher ratio, and unrivaled career support and counseling for the rest of your life once you graduate.

The results of this multi-faceted approach speak for themselves. A full 90% of OIART students graduate, and over 80% of our graduates are gainfully employed within six months.

Phase One Studios

Since 1974, Phase One has turned out international hits from Toronto. Recently renovated and thoroughly updated, our 7,500 sq. ft. four studio facility has played a significant role in Canada's Recording history with more than 100 gold & platinum albums to our credit.

Recording Arts Canada

Founded in 1984, RAC’s colleges in Toronto and Montreal provide an inspiring learning experience for those who believe they were meant to be creative. Students from around the world come to RAC for the opportunity to learn how to create impressive sounds, digital content, and interactive games.

RAC students receive extensive hands-on instruction from industry professionals in RAC’s state of the industry studios and labs. Our Recording Arts School, Digital Media School and Game Design School will equip you with the tools you need to start the career you've always dreamed of.

At RAC, creativity is fostered through inspiration, skilled guidance and first-class facilities. Our programs of study are designed with the help of the top technology companies, industry leaders, and artists in music, sound, digital media, and electronic game development. Many members of the RAC team have engineered, mixed and produced projects that have gone on to win Grammy and Juno awards, further testament to the great depth of the college.

The Remix Project

The Remix Project was created in order to help level the playing field for young people from disadvantaged, marginalized and under served communities. Our programs and services serve youth who are trying to enter into the creative industries or further their formal education; The REMIX Project provides top-notch alternative, creative, educational programs, facilitators and facilities. Our mission is to help refine the raw talents of young people from across the GTA in order to help them find success as participants define it and on their own terms.

Thanks to all people who have submitted but the contest is now over. Please check out our finalists in the Winners Tab.

IMSTA is proud to introduce the IMSTA FESTA Songwriting Contest conducted and hosted by our partner Broadjam. This contest is an annual affair that will provide aspiring and established songwriters the opportunity to have their creative pieces heard by industry professionals. You can write songs in any genre and with or without lyrics. This is the environment to learn, network and connect with the professionals. Do not miss this opportunity!

Dates & Locations:

Event

Location

Submission Deadline

IMSTA FESTA LA - May 16th, 2015

SAE Institute

April 25, 2015

IMSTA FESTA CHI – Jul 25th, 2015

SAE Institute

July 4, 2015

IMSTA FESTA NY – Sep 26th, 2015

SAE Institute

September 5, 2015

IMSTA FESTA TOR – Oct 17th, 2015

Ryerson University

September 26, 2015

All song entries per region will be distilled into a top 3 using Broadjam’s blind listening peer review mechanism. This competition runs throughout 2015 with four separate regional drawings that are linked to each scheduled IMSTA FESTA. The Top-3 finalists will be heard at a judging panel at each IMSTA FESTA. All finalists will be asked to be present for judging, if they are not, an alternate will be put in their place. Judges will listen to finalists’ creations and pick the regional winner at IMSTA FESTA and will receive a prize, with over $12,000 in prizes.

Eligibility for Record label and Music Publishing gateway opportunities

At the end of 2015, the four 1st place winners from each IMSTA FESTA will enter for the Grand Prize from which, the winning “Song of the Year” will be selected. The Grand Prize winner, in addition to prizes, will win a FREE trip to a songwriting camp hosted by Black Rock Studios in Santorini Greece.

Black Rock Studios is considered one of the most beautiful studios in the world. Each year Black Rock hosts several Songwriting Camps at their picturesque location on SantoriniIsland in Greece. This camp is attended by some of the most talented songwriters in the world. The Grand Prize winner will receive a free entry into a Black Rock songwriting camp in 2016, free airfare from the continental USA and Canada to and from Santorini and free accommodations in Santorini courtesy of Black Rock Studios and IMSTA.

Each song entry must be contestant's original creation. Songs should not exceed 5 minutes in length (5:00). Entries may have co-writer[s], but one name must be designated per entry.

To enter this contest you must be a registered member of Broadjam at any level of membership, including free membership. Contestants new to Broadjam receive one free song entry and a 6-month trial Broadjam Film/TV membership ($50 value). Current (as of the contest start date) paid Broadjam members receive two free song entries, while existing free Broadjam members will receive one free entry. Multiple entries are permitted. Each additional song will cost $20.00 USD (Fees are non-refundable).

Employees of IMSTA, Broadjam and our Sponsors, their families, subsidiaries, and affiliates are not eligible.

Songs will be judged based on melody, composition, originality and lyrics (where applicable).

Prizes will be awarded jointly to all authors of any song; division of prizes is responsibility of winners.

Entry files must be uploaded as an MP3. Broadjam or IMSTA is not responsible for any corrupt files you may submit. Any and all corrupt files will be deleted without notification to you.

All complete entries for this contest must be submitted by 11:59 PM Central Standard Time (or, if being observed, Central Daylight Time) on the final submission deadlines of the contest.

All entries are final and irrevocable. Once you have submitted an entry for this contest you may not withdraw the entry or request to change the category, genre or other division you chose for the entry.

Winner of grand prize must be eligible and able to travel to receive prize. Grand prize winner will be notified by email at the address provided, and must sign and return an affidavit of eligibility/publicity release within ten (10) days after the date on such notification. The affidavit will state that the winner's song is an original work and that the winner holds all rights to the song or is a cover of a licensed song and is identified as such in the submission. Failure to sign and return this affidavit within ten (10) days, or the provision of false/inaccurate information therein, will result in immediate disqualification and an alternate winner will be selected. Affidavits of winners under eighteen (18) years of age at the time of award must be countersigned by the winner's parent or legal guardian. Affidavits are subject to verification by IMSTA.

Contest Rules & Regulations

Prize winners may be asked to prove that the composition is created with legal, purchased software. Songwriters using illegal software are not eligible to win the IMSTA FESTA Song Competition.

Contestants must be at least 16 years of age to enter this contest.

Contestants must provide true, accurate, current and complete contact and other relevant information.

Broadjam will actively monitor and analyze contest voting traffic to assure the integrity of the contest.

You may be disqualified for false registration, making false claims, misrepresentation or any other conduct, action or activity that Broadjam & IMSTA, in its sole discretion, deems to be "cheating."

Each song submitted must consist entirely of the contestant’s originalwork. You will be disqualified for submitting any material for which you either do not solely own all worldwide copyright rights or have not obtained all necessary licenses, in proper form.

Collaborative work among co-contestants will be accepted, but all prizes will be awarded to the contestant whose name is on the associated Broadjammembership. Division of prizes among co-contestants is the sole responsibilityofwinners and Broadjam or IMSTA shall have no liability for co-contestants failure to divide prizes.

If an entry created by multiple songwriters wins the Grand Prize, onlyone songwriter may claim the complete Grand Prize. Broadjam and IMSTA are not responsible for selecting the single recipient of this prize.

If grand prize winner is unable to travel, he/she may opt for a cash equivalent (conditions apply).

Closing and announcement dates for this contest may change without notice to you. Such changes will, however, be posted on imsta.org or Broadjams’ site at the contest's page.

Absolutely no entry fee refunds will be made for any reason.

Broadjam & IMSTA may change these rules at any time, at Broadjam or IMSTA’s sole discretion, without prior notice to you.

Entering this contest does not grant you any right or license to use any Broadjam or IMSTA material (i.e. logos, images, text, etc.), trademarks or other intellectual property of Broadjam or IMSTA for any purpose, without first obtaining Broadjam and IMSTA’s express writtenconsent.

Employees of Broadjam & IMSTA, their sponsors, advertising agencies, affiliates, agents, representatives, and the families or households of the above are ineligible to enter or win all Broadjam and IMSTA contests.

The selection of winners by Broadjam, IMSTA and the judges, is final and cannot be appealed.

All prizes are non-transferable and void where prohibited by law. No cash substitution of prizes is possible.

The odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received. Winners will receive the prizes as set forth in the contest announcement.

Winners understand and agree that they are solely responsible for any and all taxes, including but not limited to sales, income, or value added, incurred on prizes received, and for any and all duties, tariffs, or import fees that may be assessed upon receiving prizes.

All contestants acknowledge, as a condition of entry, that Broadjam & IMSTA has the right to publicize and broadcast any winner's name, character, likeness, voice and all other matters incidental thereto.

This contest is void where prohibited.

Companies sponsoring the IMSTA Festa Songwriting competition may choose to collect and use email address used by you in this contest. Broadjam and IMSTA cannot control the privacy policies of these outside sponsors, and if you do not want your email collected by these sponsors, you should notparticipate in the IMSTA Festa Songwriting Competition.

Without limiting the applicability of other provisions of the Broadjam User Agreement, the Disclaimer of Warranty Provisions of Section 1.10 and Limitation of Liability provisions of Section 1.11 of the Broadjam User Agreement apply to this contest.

1st Place: Zac Nelson

Zac Nelson is a composer with a huge catalogue of infectious but thoughtful songs. Aside from his work with his band The Dead Storm (currently enjoying some coveted commercial radio airplay in Australia despite being independent), Zac is also releasing a variety of tracks in diverse genres that showcase the depth of his song-writing talent.

2nd Place: James Hoppe

James Hoppe is an ASCAP songwriter and keyboardist from Los Angeles, California. James' musical inflences include singer songwriters of the early 70's, like Elton John, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, and rock bands like the Eagles, Boston, Van Halen and the Doobie Brothers.

3rd Place: Jellybean

Songwriter experienced in Country, Rock, Pop, Christian and R&B.
Producer with 20 years of studio experience.
Owner/Operator of Nashville based recording studio. Offering special rates to fellow broadjam members on demos and full albums.

1st Place: Marley Weathers

Marley Weathers born and raised in Chicago, he started his musical career as a baritone saxophone player for a big band orchestra when he was thirteen years of age and then later studied music in the Merit Music Department. Marley has played Jazz, Latin, electronic and whatever genre of music he can get his hands on. He has been signed and released a few albums with major labels such as Universal, Emi Latin, etc. and has toured most of the US.

2nd Place: Rollin' Jewett

Singer/songwriter Rollin Jewett grew up in South Florida and has lived in New York, Los Angeles and Phoenix, to name a few influences. In addition to singing and songwriting, Rollin has also written and acted in several major films. He is presently working on new songs for an upcoming album made up entirely of love songs...the idea being to create a pure musical expression of love in all its variety and colors.

3rd Place: Shea

Shea is a 23 year-old R&B/Soul singer and songwriter from Lake Ozark, Missouri. Shea has performed in many shows during her time in Columbia, Missouri and in her hometown, including opening up for R&B singer Sid Sriram and R&B/Pop singer SOMO. Shea has continued to polish her song writing through the years, which contributes a great deal of originality to her soulful sound.

Arturia

Founded in Grenoble (France) in 1999, ARTURIA specializes in the development of music software and hardware for both the professional and amateur musician. Focusing on innovation, the company strives to integrate the latest advances in computer music research and technology into their products. This involves working closely with partner research institutions, such as IRCAM France, in the development of leading edge musical instruments and software, the results of which have gone on to been used in the making of numerous hit records and Hollywood sound tracks.

Black Rock Studios

Black Rock is a combination luxury villa and world class recording studio, located on the magnificent Greek island of Santorini. Built in a style that combines modern and traditional Cycladic architecture. Black Rock blends perfectly with the Aegean landscape. A heaven of inspiration and tranquility between sea and sun, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the Aegean sea, and the volcanic islands.

Broadjam

Broadjam provides web-based promotional tools and services for independent musicians, the music industry and fans around the world. One of the world's largest web communities focused on independent music, Broadjam.com hosts a massive online database of searchable songs by artists from all 50 U.S. states and over 150 countries worldwide.

Broadjam helps its tens of thousands of musicians and bands promote their music online. Musicians use Broadjam to, sell music downloads, submit music to film & TV supervisors, build a fan base of Broadjam listeners, enter contests to win prizes and exposure, buy music software, get a musician's website.

Celemony

Celemony Software GmbH is a German music software company that specializes in digital audio pitch correction software. It produces Melodyne, a unique audio editor with advanced pitch and time editing tools that has become the industry standard.

Melodyne has been adopted by a large number of music, game, and film professionals worldwide to create, edit and manipulate vocals and instruments in audio files signals, or generate MIDI data from audio files. Melodyne DNA, or Direct Note Access, allows for independent manipulation of individual notes within chords and polyphonic recordings.

FabFilter

At FabFilter, we make the best possible tools for music production and audio processing. To achieve this, we continually rethink and challenge industry standards: we've never been afraid of reinventing the wheel. Considering every little detail, we tune our algorithms and interfaces until they sound perfect, look amazing and feel great to work with.

McDSP

McDSP is an innovative Silicon Valley audio software company founded in 1998 by Colin McDowell. Beginning with the release of pioneering equalizer plug-in FilterBank for the Pro Tools digital audio workstation, McDSP has continued producing industry acclaimed and award-winning software titles for the pro audio market.

Such products include the 6030 Ultimate Compressor, Analog Channel, DE555 De-esser, and Synthesizer One. McDSP also licenses audio algorithm IP for use in many other fields including gaming audio and iPhone application development.

Native Instruments

Native Instruments is a leading manufacturer of software and hardware for computer-based music production and performance. Native Instruments products combine outstanding sound quality with far-reaching sonic possibilities, aesthetic interface design with high usability, and comprehensive functionality with an uncompromising attention to detail.

Today, Native Instruments offers an extensive hardware and software product line that covers the whole field of digital music creation, including REAKTOR, MASSIVE, KONTAKT, BATTERY, and MASCHINE. Native Instruments is also spearheading the digital DJ revolution with its TRAKTOR product range. Native Instruments sees itself as a part of a vibrant international music scene, and is in constant communication with artists whose feedback is integrated into the conception and continuous improvement of the products.

Sony

Sony Creative Software inspires artistic expression with its award-winning line of products for digital video, music, DVD, and audio production.

Sound Forge, ACID, and Vegas software have defined digital content creation for a generation of creative professionals, amateurs, and enthusiasts.

Steinberg has been providing award-winning music and media production tools to music, game, and film professionals since 1984. Today, Steinberg is one of the world's largest manufacturers of audio software and hardware, with more than 1.5 million users worldwide using Cubase, Nuendo, Wavelab, and Halion.

The Steinberg range of products is used in all aspects of modern digital audio processing. These products form the backbone of facilities specializing in music composition and production, mastering, restoration, broadcast, sound design, audio post for the film industry among many others.

IMSTA FESTA is proud to host another exciting panel series featuring by professional industry leaders and their fresh perspectives on music production. We are bringing together the best minds, innovators and companies in the business of music and audio for this 1-day networking event.

12:00PM | Keynote Speaker: Jimmy Douglass

Jimmy Douglass is an American four-time Grammy winning recording engineer and record producer, whose prolific career has spanned more than four decades. In the early 1970's he worked with some of the greatest engineers, producers and record moguls. He went on to work with great Atlantic Recording artists such as Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway, Led Zepellin and AC/DC to name a few. During the 1980's, he engineered and produced established artists including The Rolling Stones, Roxy Music and Gang of Four. In 1994, he began working with up and coming contemporary R&B/hip hop producer Timbaland and served as his main engineer for more than a decade. They would eventually collaborate on classic projects from artists such as Aaliyah, Missy Elliot, Ginuwine and Jay-Z. Beginning the new millennium, Douglass continued engineering and mixing more Timbaland produced projects including Snoop Dogg, Bjork and Grammy winning albums for Justin Timberlake. Among the artists he also mixed are Sean Paul, Kanye West, Ludacris, Al Green, John Legend and Duran Duran. Presently, he continues to display his versatility by remaining current while drawing from his years of experience. His hard work and immense talent has carved a place for him among some of the most respected engineers and mixers in the world.

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2:00PM | How to Work the Media

Have you released new music and sent it to dozens or even hundreds of media outlets and received little to no feedback or attention? There are probably many reasons for that, and they have little or nothing to do with the quality of the music (though obviously that is also important). Every music and arts journalist in the country receives dozens of pitches every week and pay attention to only a small fraction of them. So what separates those up-and-coming artists who receive media attention from those who don’t? Come to this presentation to find out. In this presentation, Mike Raine from Canadian Musician will put you into the mindset of music journalist and explain why and how they decide to cover certain artists.

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3:00PM | Composing for Visual Media

This panel explores the craft and business of composing for Film, Television, Video Games and other visual media. Staffed by a trio of seasoned, award-winning veterans of the composing trade, this panel is a must for anyone interested in taking their music into the film and TV world.

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4:00PM | Dance Music Master Class

This producer master class features one of Canada’s prominent dance music producers Glenn Morrison. Whether you are an aspiring producer or an industry professional who has always wondered how electronic music is made, this Master Class will look at instrumental electronic production / sound design / pop dance arrangement. Ever wonder where ideas for songs come from? What are the stages and growth of the track? How do you use and recreate samples? Once you have a finished song, how do you shop it? How do top-liners write over the production? All of these questions will be answered and more!

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5:00PM | SOCAN Presents Cooking Beats

In this interactive workshop, SOCAN will feature two of Canada’s hottest Hip-Hop producers Prezident Jeff & Sven Thomas. Like a cooking show, you learn the essential ingredients and secrets that these producers use to cook up some of their hits. Working with producers like Bo1-da and artists like Roy Wood$ and Drake, this edition of Cooking Beats is one you won’t want to miss!